Ch 3 Freedom
Harry sat in the garden twirling his hand trowel around in the dry dirt. The sun beat down on his already red neck, and caused several drops of sweat to make their way down his nose and cheeks. He licked his dry lips, though his mouth was so dry already it didn't give them much relief. He wished he could go inside the house to get a glass of water, but his cousin, Dudley, who was already five and much bigger than him, was in the living room and would tattle to his aunt Petunia that he hadn't finished his chores before coming inside. Sometimes, if she was in a good mood, she would bring him water, or if he was really lucky, a glass of iced lemonade. Harry licked his lips again. He had to pull weeds and dig up some of the more stubborn ones in the hot sun as punishment for getting caught watching his cousins television when he thought everyone had left the previous evening. It was just his luck that his uncle (the worst of his four family members) had forgotten his wallet and had caught Harry only five minutes into watching TV. He thought about his family- the only one he truly cared about was baby Charlotte. She was only two years old and hadn't yet learned from her parents and brother's example of how to treat Harry. She had red hair, which Harry was always so fascinated with, especially after hearing from his aunt that she must have gotten it from him mother. His Charlie had the same hair as his mum! Little Harry felt like it was one more reason why she was special to him.
Just then, the object of his thoughts toddled out of the back door onto the porch, her mother close behind. Relief flooded through his body (and mouth!) when he saw his aunt was holding a glass of water, and she called for him to come up and get it.
"Come here Harry, if you want any water before your uncle gets home."
"Thank you, Aunt Petunia." Harry smiled up at his aunt before carefully taking the glass and drinking half of it before taking it down from his lips. His aunt pursed hers and studied him for a moment. "Why don't you come inside for a bit and cool off? Only if you promise to run back outside when your uncle pulls up though, or we'd both hear it from him if he caught you inside." Harry just smiled gratefully at her before holding his hand out to Charlie, to steady her through the back door. Sometimes, he thought, she really does like me!
Sirius looked down at his hands, for once free from the dirt and grime he'd become accustomed to seeing. He still couldn't believe the last twenty-four hours. His heart had been in his throat when he'd heard the keys in his cells doors; he'd almost passed out when Remus stepped out from behind the guard. He had blinked several times, sure he was imagining things and his mind had finally broke in the wizarding prison. It wasn't until he had felt his friend's arms around him that he began to realize it was real. The rest of the afternoon was a blur- he vaguely remembered standing in front of the minister of magic and being given a full pardon, in addition to a monetary apology from his government. He hadn't even been listening to the amount but did remember seeing Remus's face blanch before he had grinned at Sirius, mouthing "ten thousand galleons!?". Money didn't make a difference to Sirius, as heir to the Black fortune, especially after spending four years in prison. Fresh air, freedom and friends were what counted now. He had already decided to split it between Remus and Severus, as a thank you for working for his freedom. He knew Remus at the very least, if not Severus, would not accept it, so he had already spoken with the minister about making it sound like they were being paid for their work.
Remus and Severus. There was a thought. Sirius had his suspicions about Severus Snape before being arrested; while most had considered him a loner, an outcast, he had always thought he'd seemed much more sinister. Remus had clarified his role yesterday, after Sirius had expressed his surprise in Severus's role in his release and exoneration. He still couldn't quite connect the man he had been with yesterday and today, with the man he had known four years previously. Sirius though, of anyone now, was able to see how people change and firmly decided to leave the past antagonism in the past, where it belonged. Severus had done nothing but be polite, and anyone was able to see the ease in the relationship between him, Remus and Arthur. Sirius smiled to himself, and then shook off his inner thoughts and returned to the conversation when he heard the name he'd been waiting for, the only reason he had come to this meeting between Minister Bagnold, Albus Dumbledore (he snarled, thinking of the stories Remus and Severus had relayed the evening before), and the Department of Wizarding Children's Services.
"Harry Potter needs to stay where he is!" Albus Dumbledore's beard shook with the force of his words. "He is safe, and there are still Death Eaters out there who want his head! We just heard this from Misters Lupin and Snape an hour earlier!".
"This is ridiculous! Sirius Black was not only named as the Godfather of Mr. Potter, but his parents will explicitly states to not send him to his mother's family". Now Lucius Malfoy was speaking. Sirius was once again flabbergasted at this new version of a man he had once loathed. When Severus had said he knew a solicitor who would be more than willing to help him, Sirius had been happy for the referral. When Lucius Malfoy had walked in, however, he'd quickly back peddled. Then Severus had explained how, while Lucius was still what many considered to be a "pure blooded, stuck up prick", and cared more for himself and his family than anyone, he had become accustomed to not following anyone, least of all Voldemort. Lucius himself had explained that he had his own thoughts on blood purity, and at first Voldemort's hadn't been that much more extreme than his own. Gradually he had become more and more uncomfortable with what being part of Voldemort's followers had meant, and by the time they were being called "Death Eaters", it was too late to get out without deadly repercussions to himself and his family. While Sirius was still uneasy with this new version of his cousin's husband, he was willing to wait to hear the rest of his story until he had more time to listen. Right now though, his priority was getting custody of his Godson.
"This man in front of you ignored a direct wish of the boy's parents. Not only that, but he robbed the only chance for a child to be in a loving family, by locking up an innocent man! In the worst possible prison he could have been kept in!" Lucius was on a role now, and Sirius was glad he had put aside his reservations to hire him as his solicitor. "He played games, with human beings as his pawns."
"Do you really think we should take the words of a Death Eater as fact?" Dumbledore returned. "I did not lock up an innocent man, I was tricked as the rest of the wizarding world! You're going to take the words of a werewolf and two Death Eaters as fact against me?" Sirius has to admit, Dumbledore was playing the role of the injured party to a T. "I was just trying to do what was right. I thought young Mr. Potter would be safe with his mother's family, and really, I'm sure she wasn't completely against having her son live with her sister as Mr. Malfoy is saying".
Lucius interjected again at this point. "The will, that I must remind you was sealed BY YOU, does in fact state verbatim: in case of severe injury or death to one James Potter and myself, Harry is to be placed with the following parties in the following order- Sirius Black, Frank and/or Alice Longbottom, Peter Pettigrew, or Minerva McGonagall. Under no circumstances should he reside with Vernon Dursley." Lucius paused here to let his words sink in. Dumbledore paled slightly at what he obviously thought no one had known. Sirius clenched his hands and reminded himself that losing control wouldn't help his case in any way.
Minister Bagnold spoke up at this point. "I think we have heard enough from all sides, and as long as the Department of Wizarding Children's Services is in agreement, I feel there is only one decision." The children's representative nodded her head at the minister's words, and stated "there is only one outcome. Sirius Black will acquire full parental rights to Harry Potter. I have the proper preliminary paperwork with me, but you will both need to come to the department after you have acquired the child." Sirius wanted to shake his head at her robotic terminology of getting to be the Godfather he had always wanted to be to Harry, but refrained and just asked where to sign. Dumbledore, meanwhile stormed out, with all parties barely pausing to glance up, except for Lucius Malfoy.
"Excuse me Minister, I apologize for the improper question, but why is he not being held?" Lucius thought if he had to pay a 20,000 galleon restitution fee for his part as a Death Eater, even though he had never killed anyone (always managed to fake that one, he did), then Albus Dumbledore should have to face the music from his manipulations.
"As much as I would like to, he does appear to have hid his tracks of what you and Mr.'s Lupin and Snape have accused him of. I will have him questioned on knowingly going against the Potter's will, but as he was also named by them and the executor of their estate, I'm afraid not much will be able to be done to bring him to justice." Lucius and Sirius both snorted in unison. "I will be keeping my eye on him in the future, mind you, and it may be time to look into finding a new Headmaster for Hogwarts." The minister stood, "Gentleman, I do have other appointments to get to, but rest assured, the safety of our future leaders is of utmost importance to me and our government, and I will do my best to make sure the instructors in our primary teaching institution of are both strong mind and morals. Mr. Black, again I apologize for the terrible injustice to you, and there have already been meetings to discuss how to avoid this every occurring again. Mr. Malfoy", she nodded her head, before turning and walking out of the meeting room they'd been in for the last two hours. Sirius turned to Lucius. "I did have my doubts about you, but thank you from the bottom of my heart." Lucius smiled his always calculating smile, "my wife would have skewered me if she had known I passed up the chance to help her family. Besides, I have a son who will be in Harry's year at Hogwarts and he doesn't have many playmates. Be sure to bring him to meet his new family, and perhaps we can discuss some more of your earlier questions over brandy and cigars." Sirius lifted his brows, before agreeing that he would fire call the Malfoy residence once Harry was established with Sirius. Bastard that one, but apparently good to have on his side, Sirius thought, before standing to go tell Remus and Severus the good news.
"As much as I know you want to run out and pick up Harry now, I do think you should make sure you have your house set up appropriately for a five year old first. " Remus was always the sensible one Sirius reflected, before reluctantly agreeing. "Grimmauld Place is no place for a child, and I don't know that I have any other properties appropriate for what we are looking for."
"We?" Remus asked, looking slightly confused. "What all exactly do you think you need for yourself and a growing boy?"
Sirius grinned. "There is no way in Hell that I know anything about raising a five year old boy who knows nothing about myself or magic. I thought with two extra 'uncles', we could figure it out." At this, Severus stopped grinning at Remus's obvious confusion. "Wait, two uncles?" Sirius rolled his eyes at the two men's obvious confusion. "Yes, two. Remus is a given, the only reason he wasn't listed in James and Lily's will was because he wouldn't be allowed to take custody of Harry. He was always meant to be as much of an uncle as myself. You, Severus, have proven yourself more than worthy of being one as well. You were friends with Lily growing up, you supported Remus when I could not, and you know Remus can't be the only adult in our household." Here the three men chuckled, and Remus marveled that four years of Azkaban couldn't rob his friend of his fun loving nature, even if he was more serious and controlled, even thoughtful, than he'd been previously. "We all want the same thing for Harry- for him to grow up loved, accepted and safe, as none of us were. In addition, we all agreed last night that Voldemort will be back. Harry needs everything we can teach him, and all of the support we can give." Finally, Sirius saw both men accept the idea. "I think we should go to Gringotts first, and see what real estate holdings I have. A Black property would be ideal, as any will be far more safe than anything we could buy. Regardless, I do think we should consider the Fidelius. If not, at the very least we need Filius and you, Severus, to put everything you know towards ensuring the safety of our home." Remus stood, "well, what are we waiting for?".